The development of legal framework for the management of World Heritage Sites in Oman: a case study on Bahla Oasis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ali Mohamed Khalil ◽  
Eman Hanye Mohamed Nasr
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
Heritage Legislation

PurposeThe study aims to analyze the development of Omani heritage legislation against the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (WHC), 1972 and WHC Operational Guidelines (WHC-OGs) to predict the possible effects of the recent developments on the management of the World Heritage Site in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis study discusses the development of the heritage protection legislation in Sultanate of Oman since 1970; it analyses the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 against the recommendations of the UNESCO WHC as well as the requirements of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines. Moreover, the research investigates the possible effects of the recent heritage legislation developments on the management of Bahla Fort and Oasis in Oman, which is the first Omani World Heritage Site and the only site with special management regulations.FindingsThe paper outlines the effects of both the Omani Cultural Heritage Law 35/2019 and the Special Management Regulations 81/2019 on the implementation of the Bahla Management Plan. Additionally, the research establishes how the customization of heritage legislation as a special heritage management regulation facilitates the implementation of national legislation to solve specific local problems.Originality/valueThe study establishes the significance of developing comprehensive legislation to protect and manage the rich Omani cultural heritage and World Heritage Sites in alignment with the WHC and the WHC-OGs.

scholarly journals The Assessment of Historic Towns’ Outstanding Universal Value Based on the Interchange of Human Values They Exhibit

Heritage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1874-1891
Author(s):  
Abdel Tawab
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Human Values ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value

Influences exerted by cultural heritage properties on developments in architecture, town planning, or landscape design represent one of the criteria that are used to evaluate the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties nominated for listing as World Heritage Sites, which is criterion (ii). In 1996, the wording of criterion (ii) was revised to address the interchange of human values exhibited by cultural heritage properties. The main aim of this study was to discuss the changes that occurred to the application of criterion (ii) following the revision of its wording of 1996, particularly in relation to historic towns. The study also aimed at investigating the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of the cultural heritage of an Egyptian historic town and a potential World Heritage Site, which is “Historic quarters and monuments of Rosetta/Rachid”. To achieve these aims, a sample of World Heritage Sites, or potential ones, representing both the pre-1996 and the post-1996 historic towns whose Outstanding Universal Value was justified based on criterion (ii), was adopted for the analysis of the changes in the application of criterion (ii). Subsequently, a brief preview of the major features that represent the mutual influences experienced throughout Rosetta’s wider cultural context was carried out. The findings revealed that the prevalent trend in the post-1996 listings of historic towns is the emphasis on other cultures’ influences exerted on the concerned historic towns through interchanges of human values that take the form of exchanges of technical know-how, traditions and religious values. The findings also indicated the applicability of the revised version of criterion (ii) to the particularity of Rosetta’s cultural heritage. The study recommends inscribing Rosetta on the World Heritage List based on criterion (ii).

Forms of government and local community participation in the management of cultural World Heritage sites in Southeast Asia | รูปแบบของรัฐกับการมีส่วนร่วมของชุมชนท้องถิ่นในการจัดการแหล่งมรดกโลกทาง วัฒนธรรม ในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vithaya Arporn ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Local Community ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
Cultural World

This paper studied the management of three World Heritage sites in 3 countries of Southeast Asia : Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand. The results of this research show that a decentralized form of government in Southeast Asia provides opportunities for local communities to develop better participation in the World Heritage site management than the centralized forms of government. For local communities to contribute to the World Heritage philosophy, it is necessary to improve both the conceptual and practical aspects of the World Heritage Committee, Advisory organizations, and State Parties. They have to learn lessons and agree to work closely together. บทความนี้เลือกศึกษาการจัดการแหล่งมรดกโลกจำานวน 3 แหล่งในประเทศมาเลเซีย ลาว และไทย โดยใช้วิธีการ สำารวจเอกสาร ผลการศึกษาพบว่า รูปแบบของรัฐในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ที่กระจายอำานาจจะเปิดโอกาสให้ ชุมชนท้องถิ่นสามารถพัฒนาการมีส่วนร่วมในการจัดการแหล่งมรดกโลกได้ดีกว่ารูปแบบรัฐที่รวบอำานาจ การที่จะ ให้ชุมชนท้องถิ่นมีส่วนร่วมตามปรัชญาของมรดกโลกจึงจะต้องปรับปรุงทั้งในส่วนของกรอบคิดและการปฏิบัติทั้งใน ส่วนของคณะกรรมการมรดกโลก องค์กรที่ปรึกษา และรัฐภาคี โดยต้องสรุปบทเรียนและยอมรับร่วมกันอย่างใกล้ ชิด

Local community support, attitude and perceived benefits in the UNESCO World Heritage Site

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah ◽  
Mohd Raziff Jamaluddin ◽  
Agus Riyadi
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Unesco World Heritage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Unesco World Heritage Site ◽  
George Town

PurposeThis study aims to explore the support and attitudes of the local community together with the benefits of living in the vicinity of George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. George Town is one of the popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachA total of 319 respondents residing in the gazetted area of George Town World Heritage Sites were interviewed. The covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) analysis was conducted to test the study’s hypotheses.FindingsThe community's attitudes and personal benefits were identified to strongly influence community’s support towards the conservation and development of the World Heritage Sites in George Town. While a small number of community members acknowledged the significant opportunities through tourism, majority of them expected economic and non-economic benefits from the development of World Heritage Sites.Practical implicationsThe findings from this study are expected to contribute to the ongoing debate on the perceived effects, benefits and future support of the World Heritage Sites from the local community's perspectives.Social implicationsUnderstanding the behaviour of the local community to create successful tourism planning, especially in delicate heritage destinations.Originality/valueThis study enriches the scarce empirical research study on community’s behaviour living in the vicinity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) region.

scholarly journals Potential of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage for resolution of environmental problems of the world heritage site “Lake Baikal”

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-24
Author(s):  
Yaroslava Borisovna Ditsevich ◽  
Roman Yur'evich Kolobov
Keyword(s):  
Lake Baikal ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Natural Heritage ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
Legal Regimes ◽  
The Impact

This article reflects certain results of the research conducted within the framework of implementation of the scientific project No.0-011-00168, supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, dedicated to comprehensive analysis of the international legal regimes for the protection of Lake Baikal. Emphasis is placed on the protection regime of the world heritage, realized on the basis of the cognominal convention. Recognition of the role played by the mechanisms for protection of the World Heritage in conservation of the unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal, the authors note that within the framework of Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage there are promising mechanisms that are currently did not receive due reflection with regards to protection of the lake. Such instruments include the list of world heritage sites that are under a threat; development of the plan for maintaining the world heritage site; strategic environmental assessment of planned activity that may negatively impact the site. The conclusion is made on the need for implementation of the following international legal mechanisms with regards to protection of Lake Baikal: inclusion of Lake Baikal into the list of world heritage sites that are under the threat, upon the initiative of the Russian Federation in case of construction of hydroengineering structures by Mongolia on the Selenga River without taking into account the priorities for preservation of the lake ecosystem; elaboration of the plan for protection of Lake Baikal as the world heritage site. The author also underlines the need to develop the plan that would become the means for harmonization of various legal regimes that ensure protection of the Lake Baikal. Attention given to the approaches towards assessing the impact upon the environment existing within the system of protection of world heritage. It is suggested to consider the recommendations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to conduct such assessment on World Heritage sites.

scholarly journals Towards an Integrative Understanding of ‘Authenticity’ of Cultural Heritage: An Analysis of World Heritage Site Designations in the Asian Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Williams Lawless ◽  
Kapila D. Silva
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Cultural Organization ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
The World ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
Asian Context

In the World Heritage Sites (WHS) designation, it is required to define the conditions that ‘authenticate’ the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of heritage sites. Initially, the notion of authenticity had been understood as an objective and measurable attribute inherent in the material fabric of sites. This perspective overlooked the fact that authenticity of a place is also culturally constructed, contextually variable and observer dependent. In 1994, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) introduced a set of attributes that facilitate a holistic understanding of authenticity of heritage sites which considers both tangible and intangible aspects of heritage together. To find out the extent to which this holistic understanding of authenticity is currently applied in the WHS designations, we analyzed nomination dossiers of 31 sites from the Asian context that were designated as World Heritage between 2005 and 2014. The findings point towards the continuing need to apply systematic, holistic and integrative perspectives of authenticity standards to heritage sites.

scholarly journals A simplified methodology for risk analysis of historic centers: the world heritage site of San Gimignano, Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Giuliani ◽  
Anna De Falco ◽  
Valerio Cutini ◽  
Michele Di Sivo
Keyword(s):  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
The Body ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites

Purpose Worldwide, natural hazards are affecting urban cultural heritage and World Heritage Sites, exacerbating other environmental and human-induced threats deriving from deterioration, uncontrolled urbanization and unsustainable tourism. This paper aims to develop a disaster risk analysis in Italian historic centers because they are complex large-scale systems that are cultural and economic resources for the country, as well as fragile areas. Design/methodology/approach A heritage-oriented qualitative methodology for risk assessment is proposed based upon the formalization of risk as a function of hazard, vulnerability and exposure, taking into account the values of cultural heritage assets. Findings This work provides a contribution to the body of knowledge in the Italian context of disaster risk mitigation on World Heritage Sites, opening for further research on the monitoring and maintenance of the tangible heritage assets. The application to the site of San Gimignano proves the effectiveness of the methodology for proposing preventive measures and actions that ensure the preservation of cultural values and a safer built environment. Originality/value The application of a value-based simplified approach to risk analysis is a novelty for historic centers that are listed as World Heritage Sites.

scholarly journals The Geography of UNESCO World Heritage Site Descriptions: Does It Promote International Dialog?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Costa Baciu
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Air Travel ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
New Method ◽  
Unesco World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
The World

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) undertakes to recognize, list, and collectively present those places around the world that are of outstanding value to all mankind and that must be protected from threads such as armed conflict, deliberate destruction, economic pressure, natural disasters, and climate change. Through the listing of such “world heritage sites,” UNESCO intends to document and protect the diversity of cultures and natural phenomena around the globe, and to promote international dialog. The sites may be classified as cultural or natural, or both, although most sites are cultural. As part of its listing, the UNESCO also includes short descriptions of each site. These descriptions are a key element in the public-facing listing of the recognized world heritage sites. The texts reflect the listing in a more nuanced and elaborate form (UNESCO 2021). As a literary genre, the site descriptions may fall somewhere between encyclopedia entries and travel-guide site descriptions, as they are intended both for matters of overview and as information for travelers. The UNESCO world heritage list was met with much success and was welcomed by broad audiences around the globe. Given the importance of the mission to promote international dialog, we have studied the world heritage site descriptions through a new method of geographical mapping (Baciu 2019, 2020, 2021). We were interested in exploring whether, through this new method, we can detect an international dialog, as promoted by UNESCO through the world heritage list and site descriptions. In this present essay, we discuss the results. UNESCO does promote an international dialog that we are able to detect using our method. The geographical connections that we detect are very close to other known global activity. We discuss in particu-lar the similarity between our mapping results obtained from texts published by UNESCO and global movement as decoded from airplane condensation trails (contrails). Both, text and air travel, reveal similar connection pathways across the globe, which suggests that text and air travel have evolved together rather than independently.

scholarly journals La destrucción de patrimonio: arte rupestre en la península Burrup / The Destruction of Heritage: Rock Art in the Burrup Peninsula

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Antonio González Zarandona
Keyword(s):  
Rock Art ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 1960S

ABSTRACTThe destruction of rock art in the Burrup Peninsula, performed by several mammoth industries strategically located in the Peninsula since the 1960s, allows me to analyse the concept of heritage within a global history of art and find meaning in the difficult task of interpreting rock art. The Burrup Peninsula not only hosts the largest rock art site in the world, but also one of the largest deposits of natural gas, iron ore and salt. As a consequence, the land (sacred to the Indigenous people), becomes extremely important in order to sustain the booming economy of Australia. In this difficult negotiation between heritage and progress the rock art is embedded with new meanings and the heritage becomes ephemeral. Failing to include the site in the World Heritage Site list created by UNESCO, the roles of identity and memory are contested by the two groups represented on each side of the debate: on one hand, the Aboriginal Traditional owners and the archaeologists; on the other, the Australian government and the cultural establishment that denies the rock art an aesthetic significance by considering it "primitive" and "archaic". The debate becomes even more pertinent after realizing that the Australian government has flagged other buildings and natural parks as World Heritage Sites, while the rock art in the Burrup Peninsula is catalogued as national, but not World, Heritage. As a result, the concept of heritage can be defined on several levels: local, regional, national and international.RESUMENLa destrucción de arte rupestre en la península Burrup, llevada a cabo por varias industrias colosales, estratégicamente localizadas en la península desde la década de los años sesenta, me permite analizar el concepto de patrimonio y encontrar un significado en la difícil tarea de interpretar arte rupestre. La península Burrup no sólo alberga el sitio arqueológico de arte rupestre más grande del mundo, sino que también uno de los depósitos más grandes de gas, mineral de hierro y sal. Como consecuencia, la tierra (sagrada para la comunidad aborigen), se ha convertido en un punto álgido ya que sostiene la economía creciente de Australia. En esta difícil negociación entre patrimonio y progreso, el arte rupestre encuentra nuevos significados y el patrimonio se torna efímero. Al no estar el sitio incluido en la lista de Patrimonio Mundial auspiciada por la UNESCO, los roles de identidad y memoria son impugnados por los dos grupos que representan ambos lados del debate: por un lado, los dueños tradicionales aborígenes y los arqueólogos; por el otro, el gobierno australiano y el es-tablecimiento cultural que le niega al arte rupestre una significancia estética al considerarlo “primitivo” y “arcaico”. El debate se torna cada vez más pertinente al darnos cuenta de que el gobierno australiano ha propuesto otros sitios y parques naturales para su introducción en la lista de Patrimonio Mundial, mientras que el arte rupestre de la península Burrup está catalogado como patrimonio nacional, mas no mundial. Como resultado, el concepto de patrimonio se puede definir en diferentes niveles: local, nacional e internacional.

scholarly journals Threats to conservation of World Heritage Site “Lake Baikal” and measures to reduce them (based on the results of the 44th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee)

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-33
Author(s):  
Yaroslava Borisovna Ditsevich ◽  
Roman Yur'evich Kolobov
Keyword(s):  
Lake Baikal ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Protection Mechanism ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Selenga River ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
Hydropower Stations

The subject of this research is the decisions adopted at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee on the conservation of the World Heritage Site “Lake Baikal” pertaining to such relevant questions as the construction of hydropower station on the Selenga River, as well as countering such phenomena as wild fires and illegal construction within the Central Ecological Zone of the Baikal Natural Territory. The article provides characteristics to the content of documents approved at the recently held 44th session of the World Heritage Committee for the Conservation of the World Heritage Site “Lake Baikal”, within the framework of which the international community assess the actions of the Russian Federation on discharge of the obligations on conservation of the ecosystem of Lake Baikal. Analysis of the problems to be solved that are listed in documentation of the 44th session of committee, the author notes the potential of the world heritage protection mechanism in solution of the problem of constructing hydropower stations on the Selenga River. These include extension of the applicable scope of the “No-go” agreements to the sphere of financial and insurance services, consideration of positive experience of using such institution as the List of World Heritage in Danger, as well as interaction with the International Hydropower Association on elaboration of the universal approaches towards the problem of impact of hydropower stations upon the World Heritage Sites.

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